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The Vineyard’s call to be Supernatural
Jack Hayford tells the Vineyard that it was birthed to be supernatural. And that’s a river it must remain in. It’s no use just knowing the map of where the river once was. This is an important word from a father in the faith.
“We Don’t Use Titles”
“Everyone wanted to give John a title, but he was never up for it. He would often say, ‘We don’t use titles, just call me John.'” – Carol Wimber
In this video, John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Movement, explains that the word “apostle” isn’t a label, it’s a function. And if you do the works of an apostle, you won’t need to tell anyone that you are an apostle. Likewise, if you do the works of a pastor, you won’t need to be called “Pastor.” Jesus goes further and says that if you’re humble, you won’t want a religious title. (Matthew 23:8,12)
Having been a part of five Vineyard churches, where titles were never used, I can honestly say we’ve never missed them. In fact having no titles enhances relationships.
The Vineyard Emphasis
In this video, Jay Pathak, director of Vineyard USA, explains the main thing which makes any Vineyard church a Vineyard church. He says its the expectation that God will move and speak. And speak through anyone.
Brian Doerksen, long-time Vineyard song writer then explains how Vineyard churches have always made space for God to show up in two main practices: intimate worship and ministry time. Brian says they’re like “sacraments” – activities in which we encounter God’s presence.
Finally Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church, claims that these two practices are the Vineyard’s gifts to the body of Christ.
“Naturally Supernatural”
John Wimber, who founded the Vineyard Movement, called us to be “naturally supernatural.” It was his way of saying, “Be yourself. Don’t take on a stage image, or imitate a great preacher when doing spiritual things. Just be natural.”
So many Christians change their voice or switch to King James English when they pray. Some take on an American accent when they preach, imitating some TV-evangelist. Others say “amen” in church, and “I agree” at the grocery store. We need to be the same person everywhere.
Being naturally supernatural is a Vineyard distinctive and is the very foundation of Vineyard Mombasa’s vision: “Real God Real People – an authentic community of believers that everyday people can relate to.”
Mother’s Day 1980
Lonnie Frisbee’s Best Friend’s View
If you’ve watched the Jesus Revolution movie you will know that the Lord used Lonnie Frisbee as a catalyst for outreach in the Jesus Movement. But it wasn’t the only time it happened. The Vineyard exploded as a charismatic movement on Mother’s Day in 1980 when Lonnie Frisbee said “Come Holy Spirit” and He came with great power. We have heard the story from John Wimber and his colleagues. Here we hear it from John Ruttkay, Lonnie’s roommate and closest friend.
Lonnie Frisbee in South Africa
Lonnie Frisbee is best known for the part he played in the Jesus Movement and subsequent Vineyard Movement. Both began in California. But few people know that he ministered in South Africa numerous times in the late 1970s and early 80s. In 1982 he helped John Wimber launch the first Vineyard Church in Johannesburg, which was the first outside the USA.
In this video, Derek Morphew of Cape Town, describes Lonnie’s ministry at his church way back in 1978. Derek is now responsible for academic development at the Vineyard Institute.
For more on Lonnie, Wimber, and the early Vineyard Movement, see our “About” page.
John Wimber on No-hype
Hype is human generated emotion. The world uses it to stir people up at political rallies and sports events. But it has no place in the church. In the church we are to be moved by the Holy Spirit. Emotion is welcome, but it must be because of God, not man.
Church leaders often use hype to generate a ‘faith’ atmosphere. But faith and hype-generated-emotion are two different things. Hype involves the manipulation of people, and sometimes is an attempt to manipulate God. Hype is often used in worship leading, preaching, on posters, and websites.
John Wimber told his pastors, “Ruthlessly assert the Vineyard value of ‘no hype’ in all communications. Avoid pumping people up for the ‘new thing’ God is doing. Understatement is a key Vineyard value that I pray will flourish for many years.”
Though John had a very successful healing ministry, he said, “During the time of prayer for healing I encourage people to ‘dial down.’ That is, to relax and resist becoming emotionally worked up. Stirred up emotions rarely aid the healing process, and usually impede learning about how to pray for the sick. So I try to create an atmosphere that is clinical and rational … while at the same time powerful and spiritually sensitive.”